Fastener strip producing machine



March 12, 1963 w. J. PARSONS ETAL FASTENER' STRIP PRODUCING MACHINE 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 16, 1961 mm m mm H a mm wm N? mm mm vw mm w m O0 AD I T SW I N m. MO OE MHR A mam H W W M w: w

m NQ 02 N2 9 o w: .o- J NR m I 00 E ml? l vow 051 MN m F a a M a mm msQQA Kw m 02m 0 o m1 0 mm x 0m w..1. PARSONS ETAL 3,080,565 FASTENERSTRIP PRODUCING MACHINE March 12, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16,1961 INVENTORS WILLIAM J. PARSONS By DEWEY HOLLOWAY JAMES REDMOND March12, 1963 w. J. PARSONS ETAL 3,080,565

FASTENER- STRIP PRODUCING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 16, 1961 INV EN T 0R5 WILLIAM J. PARSONS By DEWEY HOLLOWAY JAMES REDMON March 12,1963 w. J. PARSONS ETAL 393,565

FASTENER STRIP PRODUCING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTORS WILLIAM J. PARSONS BY DEWEY HOLLOWAY JAMES REDMOND wwa March12, 1963 w. J. PARSONS ETAL 3,

FASTENER STRIP PRODUCING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 74INVENTORS WILLIAM J. PARSONS By DEWEY HOLLOWAY JAMES REDMOND 3,80,555Patented Mar. 12, 1963 lice 3,080,565 FASTENER STRII PRODUCWG MACHINEWilliam J. Parsons, 1141 E. Mch Iurray; Dewey Holloway, 1129 E. 11thSt.; and James A. Redmond, 601 W. {Irane Sh, all of Casa Grande, Ariz.

Filed May 16, 1961, Ser. No. 110,380 8 Claims. (Cl. 1-125) Thisinvention relates to a fastener strip producing machine and moreparticularly to a fastener strip producing machine which automaticallymanufactures short fabric strips having snap-type fastener elementssecured thereto.

Manually operated machines have been used for the fixing of snap-typefastener elements on strips of fabric and such machines have requiredconstant attention of at least one laborer or operator. Such an operatorusually manually trips the machine for the securement of each snapfastener element on a strip of fabric.

In the produciton of fastener strips used in the production ofunderwear, and other similar garments, it has been found advantageous toplace two or more snap fastener elements on a fabric strip, so that acomplementary snap fastener element, on the garment, may be selectivelysnap-locked to one of the snap fastener elements on the strip, providingadjustability of the garment in accordance with the size of the wearer.

Accordingly, machines have been operated manually to secure snapfastener elements in spaced relation longitudinally of fabric strips,and operators of such machines have been employed manually to trip suchmachines for the securement of each snap fastener element on the fabricstrip and have then been required to manually cut off the strip so thateach strip may contain two or more snap fastener elements in spacedrelation longitudinally of the strip.

The end product of such manual operations is used as an adjustablefastener in connection with various garments, and accordingly, manythousands of these snap fastener strips have been produced manually at ahigh labor cost.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide afastener strip producing machine which will automatically secure snapfastener elements on a fabric strip in longitudinal spaced relationshipthereon, and which will also automatically cut the strip into desiredlengths, whereby each section of the strip carries two or more snapfastener elements secured thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener strip producingmachine comprising basic snap fastener securing mechanism of aconventional machine, which are automatically controlled by attachmentsthereto; said attachments controlling said mechanism for automaticallysecuring snap fastener elements in spaced relation longitudinally of astrip and automatically cutting the strip into short sections, eachcarrying a plurality of snap fastener elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener strip producingmachine having a snap fastener securing head intermittently operable bymeans of a clutch energized intermittently by means of switch elements,operable by switch actuating portions on a wheel, the periphcry of whichis provided with recesses disposed to receive snap fastener elementsafter they are secured on a fabric strip by said head, whereby the wheelautomatically times the intermittent operation of the snap fastenersecuring head and advances the fabric strip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very simple means forcontrolling and timing the operation of a fastener strip producingmachine in order, accurately, to space snap fastener elements on afabric strip and to cut the strips between such snap fastener elements,

whereby the strips are cut into short lengths, each carrying a pluralityof snap fastener elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener strip producingmachine having a simple timing wheel provided with annular rows ofswitch actuating portions on opposite sides thereof; the switchactuating portions on one side of said wheel being spaced twice theangular distance, in degrees, of the switch actuating portions on theother side of the wheel, whereby, the more closely spaced switchactuating portions intermittently cause energization of the snapfastener head of the machine to secure fasteners on a strip of fabric inlongitudinally spaced relationship thereon, and whereby, the more widelyspaced switch actuating portions energize a cut off mechanism whichintermittently cuts the strip of fabric between the snap fastenerelements, secured thereon, so that each cut off strip carries aplurality of longitudinally spaced snap fastener elements thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fastener stripproducing machine which saves a substantial amount of labor in theproduction of short fabric strips each having a plurality of snapfastener elements secured thereto.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a fastener stripproducing machine which is very simple and economical of construction inproportion to its utility, and which is very durable and easy tomaintain.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from thefollowing specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a fastener stripproducing machine, in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary end view of a fastener strip producingmachine, in accordance with the invention, taken from the line 22 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken from the line 3-3 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 44 ofFIGURE 3 showing the view rotated substantially degrees;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from line 55 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line6-6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a timingwheel of the fastener strip producing machine of the invention, showingportions thereof, broken away and in section to amplify theillustration;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan view taken from the line 88 of FIGURE 7showing the structure rotated substantially 90 degrees from that asshown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken from the line 99 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary end view of the fastener strip producingmachine of the invention, taken from the line 1tl10 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary plan view taken from the line 1111 of FIGURE10.

As shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the invention relates to afastener strip producing machine which comprises a snap fastening head20, such as disclosed in Patents 1,860,148; 1,499,270; and 1,499,203 andmore particularly to a machine such as Model 41B produced by the ScovillManufacturing Company, of Waterbury Connecticut.

This snap fastener securing head 20 is provided with a conventionalpunch 22, or snap element securing member, disposed to be projected intothe proximity of a table 24 on which a strip of fabric is disposed, forsecuring snap fastener elements to said strip of tape, as will behereinafter described.

As shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the punch 22 is operated by aconventional crank press head 26, coupled in a conventional manner to asprague clutch 28, shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. This spragueclutch 28 is provided with aconventional sprague controlling ring havinga projection 31 the rotation of which, is interrupted by a conventionaltrip arm 32-.

Thus, each operating cycle of the punch 22 and its crank mechanism 26may be controlled by a downward pivotal movement of an arm 32 about theaxis of a pin 34 so that the projection 30 of the sprague controllingring may be released and permit the sprague clutch to engage, therebycausing the crank mechanism 26 to actuate the punch 22 for one cycle.

It will be understood that the arm 32 may intermittently stop theprojection 3d of the sprague controlling ring during each revolutionthereof. This controls each respective revolution of the crank mechanism25 and the cycle operation of the punch 22. All of this mechanism isconventional to the machine hereinbefore referred to and generallydisclosed in the aforementioned patents.

A bracket 36 supports reels 38 and 56 of fabric tape by means ofprojecting trunnions 42 and 44, respectively. These reels of tape may becomposed of various fabric or other material as desired and aredispensed over rollers 46 and 48 in directions as indicated by arrows Aand B in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. The strips of tape 56 and 52 passingfrom the reels 38 and 49 over the respective guide rollers 46 and 48,pass through respective wire loops 54 and 56, coupled to pivoted mercuryswitches 58 and 60.

These switches 58 and 6d are in circuit with electric motors of themachine, as will be hereinafter described, automatically to stop themachine when the supply of tapes 50 and 52 are exhausted from the reels3% and '40. It will be understood that when either tape 50 or 52 isexhausted and passes the respective loop 54 or 56, that the respectiveswitch 58 or 69 will shut oft" operation of the machine.

After passing through the loops 54 and 56, the tapes 50 and 52 pass overadditional respective guide rollers 62 and 64. The tape strips 50 and 52then pass into a fiat guide tube 65, wherein these strips of tape aredirected in flat contiguous relationship to each other and move througha guide 66 to a position on the table 24, directly below the punch 22,or snap element securing member. The tape is also extended beyond thelocation of the punch 22 and is driven by a timing roller 63, as will behereinafter described.

The punch 22 of the machine head 24) is adapted to secure snap fastenerelements 69 to the fabric strip, composed of the sections 50 and 52,these tape sections being superimposed so that the tape strip 59 isuppermost, as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings.

Positioned on the table 24 are tape guides 79 and 72. These guides 78and 72 are disclosed in detail in FlG- URES 3 and 4 of the drawings.

As shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, the guide 70 is an angle-shaped incross-section guide, adjacent to which an edge 73 of the fabric tapemoves. It will be seen from FIGURE 1 of the drawings that the tape ismoved generally in the direction of the arrow 0, on the upper surface ofthe table 24, in the direction toward the timing wheel 68.

The tape guide 72, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, issecured to the table 24, by a screw 74, and this guide 72 is providedwith a clip section 7 6, which overlies the upper surface of the tape50, tending to hold it down on the table 24 and to prevent lateraldisplacement thereof, as will be hereinafter described.

Adjacent, the guide 70, is a microswitch 78 having a pivoted arm 80,which overlies the guide 70, and is provided with a section 82, locatedin close proximity to the upper surface of the tape strip 59. This armportion 82 is disposed to be engaged, by upwardly extending nib portions84 of the snap fastener elements secured, to the fabric tape 59 by thepunch 22, hereinbefore described. The spring loading of the microswitch78 is very slight and tends, resiliently to move the arm 80 to a brokenline of position D, shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, whenever the snapfastener elements 69 are not secured to and carried by the tape 50. Thismay occur when the supply of snap fastener elements becomes exhaustedfrom the hopper 84 of the head 20. Thus, the microswitch '78, with itsarm portion 82, is a normally open switch and is maintained in closedcondition, when the nibs 84 of the snap fastener elements hold the armportion 82 in the solid line position, as shown in FIGURE 3 of thedrawings.

Referring now to FTGURES l and 7 of the drawings, it will be seen thatthe timing wheel 63 is provided with spaced recesses $6, located in theperiphery thereof. The structure of the wheel surrounding these recesses85 may constitute means for engaging the snap fasteners or any othersuitable spaced means may be utilized to per-form an equivalent functionof engaging such fasteners. These recesses $6 are disposed to receivethe nib portions 84, of the snap fastener elements 69, secured to thecomposite tape comprising the strips 5% and 32, hereinbefore described.The timing wheel 6% is rotatably driven in a direction of an arrow B, inFIGURE 7 of the drawings, by a low speed motor '83, shown in FIGURE 10of the drawings.

The motor 88 shown in FIGURE 18 of the drawings is preferably a lowspeed reduction gear type motor having an output shaft 9% journaled inbearings 92 and 94, supported on an auxiliary frame section 96, which isdisposed on substantially a common level with the frame table portion 24of the conventional machine head 20.

The timing wheel 63 is provided with a hub 98, which is fixed on theshaft 99, whereby the timing wheel 68 is driven at a constant ratecompatible with an efiicient cycle rate of the punch 22 of the machinehead 26'. The fabric tape strips 50 and 52 are driven along the uppersurface of the table 24 by engagement of the nibs 84 in the recesses 86in the timing Wheel 63. These snap elements 69 are secured to the tapestrips 50 and 52 precisely in spaced relationship to each other to matchthe spacing of the recesses 86 in the periphery of the timing wheel 63as will be hereinafter described in detail.

The nibs 8-4 of the snap elements are maintained intimately disposed inthe recesses 86 of the timing wheel 68 as it rotates in the direction ofarrow E by a slide plate hi3 disposed directly below the periphery 18dof the timing wheel 68.

This slide plate 98 as shown in FIGURE 8 of the drawings, is made ofspring steel and is supported by a block 1&2, engaging the lower surfaceof the slide plate 93. This block 102 is made of resilient material suchas rubber or its equivalent, so that it provides a resilient bearingtending intimately to force the slide plate 98 upwardly against thelower surface of the fabric tape strip 52, in order to maintain the nibs84 of the snap elements 69 intimately engaged in the recesses 86 in theperiphery of the timing wheel 68.

The block 102 is provided with trunnions 104 extending from oppositesides thereof and these trunnions 164 are mounted in plates 1% disposedadjacent side plates 108 stationarily connected to a pivoted tablesection 110 secured by a hinge 112 to the auxiliary frame 96.

Bolts 114 and 116 extend through the plates 106 and 108 as shown best inFIGURE 7 of the drawings, and springs 118 and 120, respectively,surround the bolts 116 and 118 and bear resiliently on the plate 106tending to force it toward the plate 108 and also tending to force theresilient block 102 against the lower surface of the slide plate 98.

The springs 118 and 12% are retained on the bolts 114 and 116 by meansof screw-threaded nuts 122 and 124, respectively.

The spring 118 and 126 permit yielding action of the block 162 away fromthe wheel 68 to accommodate fastener elements which may be misplacedrelative to the recesses 86.

Intermittent operation of the punch 22, hereinbefore referred to, iscontrolled by pins 126, or equivalent switch actuating portions,arranged in an annular row at one side of the control wheel 68 andprojecting axially parallel to the shaft 90 about which the controlwheel 68 is rotatably mounted. The pins 126 are disposed successively toengage a roller 128 of a microswitch 136, which is electrically coupledto a solenoid 132, shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

As the control wheel 68 rotates in the direction of arrow E, each pin126 successively engages the roller 128 and energizes the solenoid 132,whereby its armature 13 1 is retracted and a resilient connector 136pivots a latch bar 138 about the axis of a fulcrum pin 146.

This fulcrum pin 140 is stationarily mounted on the frame of the machinehead 20, all as shown best in FIG- URE 2 of the drawings. The latch bar-138 is provided with a projecting portion 142 which engages the levermember 32 hereinbefore described. A spring 144 tends to support thelatch bar 138 and hold it upwardly in order to permit the bar 32intermittently to stop the sprague retainer at its projecting portion 36once during each revolution of the sprague clutch mechanism and arespective cycle operation of the punch 22 as hereinbefore described.

It will therefore be appreciated that each time the microswitch 1313 isactuated by one of the pins 126, engaging the roller 128 that thearmature 134 is retracted into the winding of the solenoid 132. Thelatch bar 138 is thus forced downwardly at its projecting portion 142causing pivotal movement of the bar 32 about the axis of the pin 34,thereby releasing the projecting portion 30 of the sprague retainer ofthe sprag ue clutch 28. This action permits the clutch to engage and tooperate the crank mechanism 26 and force the punch 22 to secure a snapelement 69 on the fabric strips 55 and 52 as hereinbefore described.

The microswitch 136 is vertically adjustably mounted on a bracket 146 sothat the position of the roller 128 in respect to the pins 126 willcause the punch 22 to locate a snap fastener element on the tape in aposition to eventually coincide with one of the recesses 36 in theperiphery of the timing wheel 68. In operation the microswitch isadjusted vertically until the disposition of the snap fastener element69 on the tape strips 51) and 52 coincide with the recesses 86 in theperiphery of the timing wheel 68.

Projecting from the opposite side of the timing wheel 68 from the pins126 are similar pins 148, as shown best in FIGURES 9 and 10 of thedrawings. These pins 148 are spaced a distance equal to twice thespacing of the pins 126 and also disposed in an annular row atsubstantially the same radius as the pins 126.

These pins 148, as shown in FIGURE 9 of the drawings, are disposed tocontact a plunger roller of a microswitch 152, which is verticallyadjustably mounted on a bracket 154, adjacent to the bracket 146, onwhich the microswitch 130 is mounted.

The microswitch 152 is electrically coupled to a second solenoid 156having a retractable plunger 158, coupled by means of a spring 160 to alever 162, which is ivotally mounted on a fulcrum pin 164, stationarilysup ported on the auxiliary frame 96. The lever 162 at a short distancefrom the fulcrum pin 164, is provided with an actuating end portion 166,which engages an end 168 of a shear lever 17!), which is mounted on afulcrum pin 172, stationarily carried on the auxiliary frame 96.

Secured to the lever 170 is a shear blade 172 which cooperates withanother shear blade 174, mounted on the auxiliary frame 96. These blades172 and 174 are in the path of fabric strips 50 and 52 on which the snapfastener elements 69 have been securedby the punch 22.

It will be appreciated that the microswitch is 015- erated twice as manytimes during each revolution of the timing wheel 68, as is themicroswitch 152, due to the fact that the pins 148 are spaced aparttwice the distance of the spacing of the pins 126.

Accordingly, as the microswitch 152 energizes the solenoid 156, itretracts its plunger 158 and pivots the arm 162 about the fulcrum pin164. The end 166 of the lever 162 bears against the end 168 of the shearlever 170 and pivots it about the axis of the pin 172. The shear blade172 carried by the lever 170 moves downwardly adjacent to the blade 174and shears off the strips of tape 56 and 52. Since this shearing actionoccurs only once, while the microswitch 130 is operated twice, eachsection of tape cut off by the shearing blades 172 and 174, will carrytwo of the snap fastener elements 69, thus, the machine automaticallyproduces short fabric strips, each of which is provided with a pluralityof snap fastener elements secured thereto. By varying the spacing of theswitch actuating portions on the control wheel, two or more snapfastener elements 69 may be carried by each section of tape cut off bythe shearing blades 172 and 174.

These flexible fabric strips, having twoor more snap fastener elements69, may be secured to a garment and utilized to provide for two or moreadjustment positions for the securement of a cooperating snap fastenerelement. As for example, the strips 55 and 52 may be secured to one flapof a garment shirt while a female snap fastener may be secured to theother flap of the garment shirt and the female fastener may be engagedand snapped on to a nib 84 of either of the male snap fastener elements69 carried by the strip sections 51) and 52 secured to the garment.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, while the separatefabric strips 50 and 52 are disclosed, it may be desirable to place thesnap fastener elements 69 on a single layer strip of material.Accordingly, the machine of the invention will operate in a similarmanner to that herein described and will shear off the fabric stripsprecisely to include a section of flexible strip material carrying aplurality of snap fastener elements.

It will be seen that the lever 170 carrying the blade 172 is retractedupwardly by a spring 176 following each downwardly shearing action ofthe blade 172. Thus, the fabric strip carrying the snap fastenerelements 69 secured thereto, may pass over the shearing edge 174 forsuccessive shearing actions by the blade 172.

As shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a chute 178 is provided to receivethe fastener strips as they are sheared by the shearing blades 172 and174.

As shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 of the drawings, the pivoted table portion110 is connected to the auxiliary frame 26 by a hinge pin 112, and thetable section may be pivoted downwardly into a position as indicated bybroken lines F in FIGURE 5 of the drawings to permit the flexible fabrictape to be initially inserted between the periphery of the timing wheel68 and the slide plate 98 hereinbefore described.

A bracket 180 is secured to the pivoted table section 110 and thisbracket 181 is held upwardly toward the periphery of the timing wheel 68by means of a toggle mechanism 182. This toggle mechanism 182 isprovided with a bar 184 which engages a pin 186 of the bracket 180 andtends to apply upward force to hold the table 110 in the solid line ofposition shown in FIGURE 5, thereby to retain the fabric tape strips 50and 52 in close proximity to the periphery 160 of the timing wheel 68.

The toggle mechanism 132 is provided with a handle portion 138 whichwhen moved downwardly in a direc-- tion of an arrow G in FIGURE 5 of thedrawings, unlocks the toggle and permits downward movement of the arm184 thereby permitting table 1111 to pivot downwardly to the broken lineposition F and allow cleardownwardly on the clip 1%.

ance to thread the fabric tape between the periphery of the timing wheel68 and the slide plate 98, as hereinbefore described.

Carried on the pivoted table section 110 between the timing wheel 68 andthe blades 172 and 174 is a channel guide section 190 having a pair ofupstanding channel leg portions 192 and 194 between which opposite edgesof the tape sections 5% and 52 are guided.

A spring loaded clip 196 is disposed above the tape strips and in closeproximity to the periphery of the timing wheel 68 in order to strip thetape therefrom in the even-t a fastener nib 84 becomes stuck in a recess86 in the periphery of the timing wheel 68. As shown in FIGURE 6 of thedrawings, the clip member 1% is spring loaded by a spring 193 whichtends to exert force The spring 19tis retained by a bolt 2.00 which issecured by a nut 282 at the lower portion of the table 110 as shown bestin FIGURE 6 of the drawings.

Another guide 294 is disposed adjacent to the timing wheel 68 as shownin FIGURE 7 of the drawings, and

this guide 204 is also adapted to maintain alignment of the tape and thenibs 84 of the snap fastener elements 6 9 with the periphery of thetiming wheel 68 and the recesses 36 therein. This lateral alignment ofthe tape strips 50 and 52 with the timing wheel 68 is important so thatthe nibs 84 of the snap fastener elements 69 will precisely nest in therecesses 86 as the wheel rotates and draws the tape along the uppersurface of the table 24 as will be hereinafter described.

In operation, the reduction gear motor 88 rotates the shaft 90 at a lowspeed so that the timing wheel 68 is rotated at a speed to controloperation of the machine head 20. The punch 22 applies the snap fastenerelements 69 to the strips of tape 50 and 52 hereinbefore described. Thecycle rate of the head 20 and its punch 22 is controlled by thefrequency at which the pins 126 contact the roller 128 and close themicroswitch 130 which conducts electrical energy to the solenoid 132.

Thus, each time a pin 126 actuates the microswitch 130, the solenoid132, as hereinbefore described, operates the sprague clutch 28 andcauses the crank mechanism 26 to cycle the punch 22 and secure one snapfastener element to these strips of fabric 50 and 52.

As hereinbefore described, the disposition of the microswitch 130 isarranged to trigger operation of the punch 22 so that the respectivesnap fastener elements 69 will be located longitudinally of the tapestrips 50 and 52 to coincide with recesses 86 in the periphery of thetiming wheel 68 as the tape is pulled thereunder by engagement of therecesses 86 with the nibs 84 of the snap fastener elements 69. Thus, thetiming wheel 68 drives the strips 50 and 52 by tension and feed-s themunder the punch 22 to receive the snap fastener element 69.Concurrently, the pins 148, on the opposite side of the wheel from thepins 122, intermittently actuate the microswitch 152 which energizes thesolenoid 156 and intermittently actuates the blade 172, relative to theblade 174, to cut strips of the fabric tape 50 and 52 each carrying twoof the snap fastener elements 69, as shown best in FIGURE of thedrawings.

In the event the rolls of fabric tape 38 and 40 become exhausted, andthe tape strips 50 and 52 being drawn therefrom, pass beyond the rollers62 and 64, respectively, the loops 54 and 56 connected to the mercuryswitches 58 and 60 become released from the strips of tape 50 or 52 andare permitted to pivot downwardly about the axis of the rollers 62 and64. These switches are coupled to the electrical circuit controlling theentire machine and stop it whenever the supply of tape strips 50 or 52or either of them becomes exhausted from the rolls 38 and 40.

Additionally, in the event the snap fastener elements 69 are exhaustedfrom the hopper 84 as hereinbefore described, the arm 80 of themicroswitch 78, as shown in FIGURE 3, may pivot over to a broken line ofposition D and this switch 7% is also coupled to main electrical circuitof the entire machine to stop operation thereof, when the snap fastenerelements are not secured to the tape strips 50 and 52. It will beappreciated that as long as the nibs 84 of the snap fastener elements 69project upwardly, they hold the arm in the solid line of position shownin FIGURE 3 of the drawings and thus hold the switch 78 closed and themachine remains in operation.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications of the present invention may be re: sorted to in a mannerlimited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a fastener strip producing, machine, the combition thereby; andshear means operable by said secondv solenoid for shearing sections ofsaid flexible strip intermediate said snap fastener elements.

2. In a fastener strip producing machine, the combination of: a machinehead; a punch in said machine head disposed to secure snap fastenerelements on a flexible.

strip of material; a timing wheel having .a means engageable with snapfastener elements fixed to said flexible strip by said punch; clutchmeans disposed to intermittently operate said machine head; a solenoidfor actuating said clutch means; switch means operable by said timingwheel for energizing said solenoid; second switch means intermittentlyoperable by said timing wheel, a second solenoid coupled thereto forenergization thereby; and shear means operable by said second solenoidfor shearing sections of said flexible strip intermediate said snapfastener elements, first and second annular rows of switch actuatingportions carried by said timing wheel and operably engageable with saidfirst and second switch means for intermittently operating the same,said second mentioned switch actuating portions being spaced apart adistance equal to the spacing of a plurality of said first switchactuating portions on said wheel, whereby, said punch is operated aplurality of times for securing a plurality of snap fastener elements onsaid flexible strip while said shearing blades are actuated only once inorder to shear off sections of said flexible strip bearing a pluralityof said snap fastener elements.

3. In a fastener strip producing machine, the combination of: a machinehead; a punch in said machine head disposed to secure snap fastenerelements on a flexible strip of material; a timing wheel having a meansthereon engageable with snap fastener elements fixed to said iiexiblestrip by said punch; clutch means disposed to intermittently operatesaid machine head; a solenoid for actuating said clutch means; switchmeans intermittently operable by said timing wheel for energizing saidsolenoid; second switch means intermittently operable by said timingwheel, a second solenoid coupled thereto for energization thereby; andshear means operable by said second solenoid for shearing sections ofsaid flexible strip intermediate said snap fastener elements, first andsecond annular rows of switch actuating portions carried by said timingwheel and operably engageable with said first and second switch meansfor intermittently operating the same, said second mentioned switchactuating portions being spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing ofa plurality of said first switch actuating portions on said wheel,whereby, said punch is operated a plurality of times for securing aplurality of snap fastener elements on said flexible strip while saidshearing blades are actuated only once in order to shear off sections ofsaid flexible strip bearing a plurality of said snap fastener elements,a slide plate adjacent said timing wheel and disposed to hold saidflexible strip in continuous relation with said wheel whereby, said snapfastener elements are firmly engaged herewith; and resilient meansengaging said slide plate and tending to force it toward said wheel forinti mately retaining said flexible strip in contiguous relationshipwith said timing wheel.

4. In a fastener strip producing machine, the combination of: a machinehead, first means therein for securing snap fastener elements to a stripof flexible material; second means disposed intermittently to drive saidhead and intermittently to actuate said first means; a driven timingwheel having spaced recessed portions in its periphery disposed toreceive snap fastener elements secured on said flexible strip by saidfirst means; third means disposed resiliently to maintain said flexiblestrip and snap fastener elements in contiguous relation with theperiphery of said timing wheel; a first annular row of switch actuatingportions on said timing wheel; a first switch intermittently operablethereby; means coupling said switch with said second means forintermittently energizing the same and intermittently operating saidfirst means of said machine head whereby snap fastener elements aresecured to said flexible strip by said first means to coincide with thesnap fastener element receiving recess portions in the periphery of saidtiming wheel; a second annular row of spaced switch actuating portionscarried by said timing wheel; a second switch intermittently operable bysaid second switch actuating portions; shearing means disposed to cutoff sections of said flexible strip bearing snap fastener elements; andfourth means coupled to said second switch for actuating said shearingmeans to cut off said flexible strip in short sections.

5. In a fastener strip producing machine, the combination of: a machinehead; first means therein for securing snap fastener elements to a stripof flexible mate-rial; second means disposed intermittently to drivesaid head and intermittently to actuate said first means; a driventiming wheel having spaced recessed portions in its periphery disposedto receive snap fastener elements secured on said flexible strip by saidfirst means; third means disposed resiliently to maintain said flexiblestrip and snap fastener elements in contiguous relation with theperiphery of said timing wheel; a first annular row of switch actuatingportions on said timing wheel; a first switch intermittently operablethereby; means coupling said switch with said second means forintermittently energizing the same and intermittently operating saidfirst means of said machine head whereby snap fastener elements aresecured to said flexible strip by said first means to coincide with thesnap fastener elements receiving recess portions in the periphery ofsaid timing wheel; a second annular row of spaced switch actuatingportions carried by said timing wheel; a second switch intermittentlyoperable by said second switch actuating portions; shearing meansdisposed to cut off sections of said flexible strip bearing snapfastener elements and fourth means coupled to said second switch foractuating said shearing means to cut off said flexible strip in shortsections, said second switch actuating portions carried by said timingwheel spaced apart a greater number of de- 19 grees than the spacing ofsaid first mentioned switch actuating portions whereby, a plurality ofsnap fastener elements may be secured to said strip during each timesaid shearing means is cycled.

6. In a fastener strip producing machine, the combination of: a machinehead; first means in said machine head disposed to secure snap fastenerelements on a flexible strip of material; a timing wheel having a meansengageable with snap fastener elements fixed to said flexible strip bysaid first means; third means for intermittently operating said machinehead; a fourth means for actuating said third means; switch meansintermittently operable by said timing wheel for energizing said fourthmeans; second switch means intermittently operable by said timing wheel;fifth means coupled to said second switch means; and shear meansoperable by said fifth means for shearing off sections of said flexiblestrip intermediate said snap fastener elements.

7. In a fastener strip producing machine, the combination of a machinehead; first means therein for securing snap fastener elements to a stripof flexible material; second means disposed intermittently to drive saidhead and intermittently actuate said first means; a driven timing wheelhaving means disposed to engage snapfastener elements secured on saidflexible strip by said first means; third means disposed resiliently tomaintain said flexible strip and snap fastener elements in contiguousrelation with the periphery of said timing wheel; a first annular row ofswitch actuating portions on said timing wheel; a switch intermittentlyoperable thereby; means coupling said switch with said second means forintermittently energizing the same and intermittently operating saidfirst means of said machine head whereby snap fastener elements aresecured to said flexible strip by said first means to coincide with saidsnap fastener element engaging means of said timing wheel; a secondannular row of spaced switch actuating portions carried by said timingwheel; a second switch intermittently operable by said second switchactuating portions; shearing means disposed to cut off sections of saidflexible strip bearing snap fastener elements; and fourth means coupledto said second switch for actuating said shearing means to cut off saidflexible strip in short sections.

8. In a fastener strip producing machine, the combination of: a firstmeans therein, for securing snap fastener elements to a strip offlexible material; second means disposed intermittently to actuate saidfirst means; a driven timing wheel having spaced recessed portions inits periphery disposed to receive snap fastener elements secured on saidflexible strip by said first means; third means disposed resiliently tomaintain said flexible strip and snap fastener elements in contiguousrelation with the periphery of said timing wheel; a first annular row ofswitch actuating portions on said timing wheel; a switch intermittentlyoperable thereby; means coupling said switch with said second means forintermittently energizing the same and intermittently operating saidfirst means of said machine head whereby snap fastener elements aresecured to said flexible strip by said first means to concide with thesnap fastener element receiving recess portions in the periphery of saidtiming wheel; and fourth means adjacent said timing wheel for strippingsaid strip away from the periphery of said timing wheel when a snapfastener element becomes stuck in one of said recess portions.

No references cited.

1. IN A FASTENER STRIP PRODUCING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION OF: A MACHINEHEAD; A FIRST MEANS IN SAID MACHINE HEAD DISPOSED TO SECURE SNAPFASTENER ELEMENTS ON A FLEXIBLE STRIP OF MATERIAL; A TIMING WHEEL HAVINGA MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SNAP FASTENER ELEMENTS FIXED TO SAID FLEXIBLESTRIP BY SAID FIRST MEANS; CLUTCH MEANS DISPOSED TO INTERMITTENTLYOPERATE SAID MACHINE HEAD; A SOLENOID FOR ACTUATING SAID CLUTCH MEANS;SWITCH MEANS OPERABLE BY SAID TIMING WHEEL FOR ENERGIZING SAID SOLENOID;SECOND SWITCH MEANS INTERMITTENTLY OPERABLE BY SAID TIMING WHEEL, ASECOND SOLENOID COUPLED THERETO FOR ENERGIZATION THEREBY; AND SHEARMEANS OPERABLE BY SAID SECOND SOLENOID FOR SHEARING SECTIONS OF SAIDFLEXIBLE STRIP INTERMEDIATE SAID SNAP FASTENER ELEMENTS.